Quite a long drive to Springbok today. Customs didnít even blink at
the car. The guy asked if we had anything to declare and I said only personal
effects and he scrunched up the declaration form. Immigration searched
in vain for our exit stamp and we had to explain we did not exit because
the passports were issued in Spain. OK, no worries.

This part of SA is really nice. Good weather too which is odd because
it is winter. The campsite at Springbok is quite good but busy. Itís odd
to be with so many other campers who have not at least done some thousands
of km and who are not at all interested in other people. Used the big tent
again which I like because it makes packing easier. Weíve decided to spend
the night in Cape Town tomorrow.

18th August 1999

Odo

63 123.2km

Co-ords

S 29 40 24.6E 17 53 56.4

Fuel

34.8 L 63 462.7km

Staying in an old jail tonight. Actually a very nice hotel called Breakwater
Lodge at the Waterfront. We did try the City Lodge but it was full, then
we made a booking at the Commodore but they only had underground parking
into which we did not fit and they were not at all interested in helping.
So we found this place and itís really great.

Had lunch at a farm stall on the way. Really nice to, the owners came
to look at the car and couldnít believe we had driven all the way. This
is truly great countryside. The flowers are starting too bloom so splashes
of colour all over. It was a bit startling to meet so much traffic though.

This afternoon we did a bit of shopping and wandered around the Waterfront.
At 5:30 we went on a sunset cruise. It was really nice, Iíve never been
on a big sailing boat before. It was nice to see the sun set over the bay
and the lights come on in town. It was a bit up and down but nowhere near
as bad as the Zanzibar ferry. Some of the other passengers were feeling
a bit queasy but Renee and I were fine.

Had dinner at the waterfront, we both had what seemed like massive amounts
of food. I had gumbo and couldnít finish it. Oh well, I have lost 6kg and
weighed 68kg at Yvonne's. Have to work on it I suppose.

19th August 1999

Odo

63 694km

Co-ords

S 33 54 26.8E 18 24 56.5

Fuel

32.88 L 63 732.8km

Thatís it, we can go no further South Ė Cape Aghulas. Left Cape Town
at around 8:30 arrived at about 11. Wow. We opened two bottles of champagne
and sprayed them all over the car and the monument. Took loads of photos
too. The other people there must have thought we were a bit odd but there
werenít too many so not so bad.

Hell weíve come a long way. I never thought we would get here. Tunisia
seems in the distant past. Got the wheels balanced Ė were told that they
are not round.

We made it on to Knysna Ė again along a really beautiful stretch of
country Ė and are camping at what must be the best campsite I have ever
seen. It is on the other side of the bay to town and has everything. The
best showers and ablution, including a sauna and gym. Also a pool table
which Renee and I used most of the evening. One great thing is that we
were totally on our own. It must be busy though in the summer.

20th August 1999

Odo

64 323km

Co-ords

S 34 03 27.9E 23 01 53.7

Fuel

69.4 L 64 337.2km

Today we head for our second honeymoon at the Fish River Sun. We looked
for the Storms River bridge so that we could bungi jump but missed it.
Its not really on the Storms river and itís on the toll road so better
luck next time. Actually spent the morning shitting myself that Renee would
really want to do it. Oh well, must be brave. I really do want to try it
out but just mustnít think about it.

Arrived at the hotel at around 3pm. We have a nice room overlooking
the pool, which is empty, and have a patio with deck chairs. Now for a
relaxing four days.

21st, 22nd and 23rd August 1999

Odo

64 873.7km

Co-ords

S 33 29 05.9E 27 07 57.4

Fuel

55.65 L 64 820.4km

Had a great time. Siesta, walks, ate well, and watched TV, showered
or bathed twice a day.

Well we had a great relax at the Fish River. Not too much to do but
thatís what I planned. The weather was great on Sat and Sun but started
getting windy on Monday. Lay on the bed so long that I started getting
back ache. Went into Port Alfred on Monday and just sat in the car reading
magazines and watching the sea. Felt really ill at lunchtime Monday and
puked up my lungs as well as my lunch. Lay around dosed up with valoid
and painkillers. Renee went off to supper on her own.

Damn, can you believe itís coming to an end. I canít.

24th August 99

Odo

64 873.7km

Co-ords

S 33 29 05.9E 27 07 57.4

Fuel

70.5 L 65 310.5km

Odo 64873.7km S 33 29 05.9 E 27 07 57.4
Fuel 65310.5km 70.5l
Fuck itís freezing. Iím sitting in bed in a hotel in Bloem writing
this. Iím feeling loads better than last night. The drive up was OK just
very windy. We arrived at 4:30pm and decided on Bains game farm. Not much
game but quite nice.

Had a great dinner of baby chicken and chips. Now itís watching TV (The
Postman) and getting warm.

Tomorrow Johannesburg.

25th August 1999

Odo

65 523.4km

Co-ords

S 29 04 32.6E 26 09 02.8

Fuel

43.41 L 65 738.3

Took a slow drive up the N1 freeway towards Johannesburg. A feeling
of aprehension, what to expect, how to settle into something fixed, how
to stop really. It feels a little odd heading back to Johannesburg after
three and a half years away. To return seems like going backwards.

We went directly to see Renee's Mom and then went to her house. We will
be staying here for awhile until we can get somewhere ourselves. My Mom
and Dad and came over to say hi and welcome back and so did Erica and Robin.
Robin brought a huge banner saying welcome homw which he wanted to hang
on the road but we got there before him so we just stuck it on the side
of the truck. The weekend coming we have all our friends over for a braai,
time to sit and remember the stories.